Holistic education enables the students to grow into well-balanced individuals who have a broad outlook and a better understanding of the world around them. It cannot be denied that students need to be good in core academics but they need to be taught essential skills also that are required for making the children progressive and confident. 

Educators are beginning to realise that our current educational system is not conducive to the growth of a balanced personality, even if the grades tell that the student has mastered all the concepts. 

Is it possible that the traditional method of imparting knowledge is enough for the child’s development? 

Do you think a child can learn to ride bicycle by watching a You Tube video? 

Or is it possible that a child will learn to throw a basketball in to the basket by merely reading a book about it? 

This is not possible, as each one of us will agree. 

Then, don’t you think that the child needs something more than mere classroom learning.  If you agree, then we are on the right page. 

As a firm believer in holistic education, I feel that there can be many paths to learning and it is through experiences that the child evolves. 

Read on to know why and how the holistic education helps!

Leaning By Doing

Children learn by doing and play an active role in their own learning. Tools, toys and experiments like puzzles, flash cards, and role play engage the child as they make the child active recipient of information. Learning levels differ according to the class, subject of the child and the types of activities participated.

Promoting Better Understanding

The subject is better understood by when the child is encouraged to take part in activities based on the concepts like field study, real experiments in safe environment, or going to museums and exploring the world around them.

Higher Engagement

Activity based learning also helps in keeping the child engaged in a fun way. It gives then unique and creative ways for expression whether in school, home or education centres. 

Aids In Parent–Child Bond

Most of the parents are pressed for time as either of them is working; they feel that they are missing out on their child’s initial years of learning and development. The activity based learning helps in overcoming the roadblock.

Increases Analytical Skills And Sharpens Problem Solving Ability

The activity based learning encourages the child to think independently, analyse constructively, and review the problem to arrive at an organic solution. This approach helps not only in subjects like maths but is also helpful when they grow up to enter the outside world.

Instil Confidence

The child learns to rely on himself as he handles activities independently. They develop skills, understanding and confidence through exposure to exploration and experimentation. 

Promote Values in Child

Holistic education by their very nature inculcate values such as respect, compassion, and others as the child learns to handle himself independently as well as in a team.

While some schools are committed to holistic education, majority of them find it difficult to put these ideas into practise. We, as educators, parents, and teachers can help by using real life experiences, lively sources of knowledge such as stories, audio-visual aids, instead of textbook knowledge to rekindle the love of learning. Holistic education means imparting learning through diverse means such as art and craft, dramatics, and other creative activities to suit the temperament of the child.

Children must be given a chance to develop and grow. We can do our part by introducing diverse activities into their day to day schedules. It will also help them in converting the non-productive hours, which they are spending on watching TV and playing games on mobile into productive, well utilised hours.

Let’s catch up on ways in which Holistic education can be merged into daily learning!

Language and Maths: Working on their vocabulary and handwriting gives them a sense of accomplishment and pride in oneself. Abacus and Vedic maths techniques both helps in enhancing brain and improves memory power.

Play Way Activities: Assorted activities like mini role plays, mock acts, storytelling sessions, and tools like jigsaws, blocks helps to get a better understanding of the world around. It helps in grasping academic concepts as well. As someone truly said, “You tell me, I forget. You show me, I remember. You involve me, I understand.”

Music n Movement: The art forms give wings to freedom of expression. Not only does this help the child to articulate his thoughts better but also helps them learn their culture and value systems. The dances like Bollywood, Zumba, and Aerobics bring agility to the body and energise the mind.

Games and Physical Activities: Activities like yoga, indoor games, and sports like softball help to harness the boundless energy of young children. This also helps the child to focus better and improves concentration. Building up of stamina with light exercises helps to increase efficiency in academics as the child feels satisfied and is motivated to give their best to studies. 

All the above activities make the children good learners which is the need of the 21^st century. The ways of the world are changing at breakneck speed and what the children are taught in classrooms today may not be relevant in the near future. However, the skills that the children develop today will keep them in good stead when they grow and move out in the real world.

The activities for holistic development are complementary to the academics for overall development of the child.  The experiences that a child will gain from holistic education will make the journey into adulthood, an exciting self-discovery.